Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 146 -Currently established service/hub/gateway centres include:o Argentia/Placentiao St. John’so Clarenvilleo Marystowno Gandero Grand Falls/Windsoro Port aux Basqueso Corner Brooko Stephenvilleo Deer Lakeo Rocky Harbouro Hawkes Bay/Port au Choixo Plum Point (for motorcoach tours)o St. Anthonyo Happy Valley-Goose Bayo Labrador CityIn some cases, there may be the need for a new service centre/hub community. An example is acommunity like Springdale, which could potentially play a larger role in this regard, given theincreasing number of visitor attractions in the Baie Verte Peninsula, and considering the longtravel distance between Deer Lake and Grand Falls-Windsor and the opportunity of offering anintermediate stopping point.Priority Themed Touring RoutesTouring routes link scenery/sightseeing, major attractions, activities, destinationcommunities/areas and service communities. There are a number of such routes in the provinceand they are recognized through the themed routes program.The original plan for the Themed Routes program involved six elements, as follows:o Gateway communitieso Touring routeso Scenic driveso Heritage driveso ‘Explorer’ routes/back country drives, ando Coastal cruising routesThe touring routes were intended to be the premier type of traveller experience. The scenicdrives and heritage drives were seen to be more modest, shorter routes whose appeals were morespecific to one or the other of these themes. The ‘explorer’ route (meaning a more remote,wilderness area having some appeal) was intended for routes that didn’t meet the standards of theothers but would have interest for those who wanted to visit the more out of the way places.THE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study